India ‘should bid for Olympics’

Australia’s sports minister believes that India should consider hosting the Olympic Games following its Commonwealth Games success.Mark Arbib explained that India has managed to exceed expectations with its Commonwealth Games opening ceremony and should be given the opportunity to host larger international events, reports the Press Trust of India.

“It was a wonderful display of Indian culture. For Australians, every Australian I spoke to, it was wonderful,” said the minister.

He added: “People responsible for organising should be congratulated.”

Demand for flights to India could increase if the country did secure the Olympics but Mr Arbib did raise some concerns by stressing that hosting such a sporting competition can take around ten years of planning – as seen in Sydney in 2000.

The minister dismissed comments that the Commonwealth Games facilities are below international standards. He praised Delhi’s chief minister Sheila Dikshit for the work taken to ensure security for the athletes and spectators.

It is the first time that India has hosted the Commonwealth Games and the second time the event has been held in Asia.

Written by Erin Marshall.